Issam Hamdallah ‘12
“The greatest impact achieve has had on my life so far is that they have given me the resources to be the best I can be. ”

Miko Jones ‘11
"achieve has opened my eyes to the reality that I can go to college simply by working hard and being myself."

Vivian San ‘11
“achieve has given me an opportunity to use my skill and capabilities in helping others. They helped me understand that every second or minute that I volunteer, counts as something important to the people I serve. Helping others benefits me just as much as the people I serve. There is no better feeling than knowing that I've made a positive impact on another person's life.”

Monica Marquez ‘11
“The greatest impact that achieve has had on my life so far is giving the opportunity to attend one of the best high schools in the Bay Area. Without the help that achieve has given my family, I would probably not be able to receive such a fine education, because my mother cannot afford it on her own. ”

Analis Ibarra ‘12
“achieve has taught me that helping others is not only a great way to give back to our community but also our duty as people. I have learned that being able to help others is very satisfying and rewarding.”

Tifanny Li ‘12
“achieve has taught me many values of giving back to my community, which has been a new experience for me and it has been truly rewarding.”

Gladys Martinez ‘10
“What I find most helpful about achieve is that I always have someone at my back, pushing me towards the edge of a cliff. So far, I'm almost able to fly off that cliff with the help of achieve.”

Fernando Delgado ‘09
“achieve is a family that I can look to for companionship, advice, support and love. ”

Eia Gardner ‘09
“achieve has instilled in me characteristics that I will need in the future: to speak up for myself, to stand up for what is right, to accept change, and to be bold in every situation that I face. ”

Ian David ‘12
“The greatest impact achieve has had on my life so far is knowing that I have a second family that loves and cares for me.”

Martin Marquez ‘09
“I truly feel that achieve is a family--- my family. I can always talk to my achieve brothers and moderators because I know that they are there for me and they are there to listen to what I have to say.”

Alyssia Smith ‘09
“I like the fact that achieve gives young minorities a chance to succeed in life and beat the odds.”

Teresa Hartwell ‘10
“achieve is like an extra parent. It keeps you on top of your school business and pushes you to your potential.”

Katia Garcia ‘10
“The best thing about being in achieve is that we have someone other than our parents to go to for help. Achieve is like one loving family.”

Erika Rosas ‘09
“The best part of being in achieve is that it helps us become aware of our strengths and capabilities—but not only that, we learn how to use our strengths to help ourselves and to help others.”

Corrina Ramos ‘10
“achieve shows me that school is the key to your future and that it is very important to always give 100% in everything that you do.”

Ashley De Motto ‘12
“The summer experiences have helped me to realize that I can do whatever I want if I set my mind to it. I never thought that as a freshwoman, I would do cancer research experiments with doctors and be rewarded with knowing that my dad, who died of cancer, would be very proud.”
Summer Programs

Summer may bring time off from school, but not from the many learning opportunities achieve participants pursue. We strive to provide our students enlightening and enriching adventures all year long. achieve staff meet with students towards the end of the school year to help plan their summer activities.


Internships
Students are encouraged to learn about the world of work through summer internships based on individual career interests. Students gain professional learning experiences that expand their horizons, introduce them to new people, and allow them to earn extra money. The program requires all students to work each summer. Each student receives a cash stipend of $250 with the remaining compensation being placed in an individual custodial savings account that they may use for colleges expenses.

Students have also participated in leadership, travel and adventure programs such as Summer Search, Outward Bound, Coro Exploring Leadership Program and University of California Outreach Program. Students have traveled as far as Guyana and Tibet where they have volunteered teaching English and providing basic medical care.

The following organizations and businesses provided 2008 summer internships:
ABM Engineering Services
American Conservatory Theater
Cal Academy of Sciences
Attune
CCLR
DFS
Exploratorium
First Republic Bank
Fresh Connection
Arthur J Gallagher
Gerson Bakar & Associates
G. Hensler & Co.
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
LBA Realty
Pacific Gas and Electric
popchips
San Francisco Giants
Seton Health Services Foundation
Sitzmann Morris Lavis
Tenderloin Boys and Girls Clubs
St. Anthony Foundation
Telecare Corporation
UCSF Concierge Services
UCSF Mt. Zion Medical Center
UCSF New Generation Health Center


At achieve we are always looking to expand the summer internship choices for our students. achieve students are highly motivated young people with boundless energy and true leadership potential. If you would like to join our program by hosting an intern, please contact Adele Crady at acrady@achieveprogram.org or call at 415.576-8100.


Summer Study
Students entering the achieve program are administered a diagnostic reading assessment. Those students significantly below grade level begin intensive remediation during the summer. Our reading specialists are trained in the Lindamood-Bell method, a multi-sensory approach to reading and writing remediation. Students needing further remediation continue with individual tutoring during the school year.

In addition, students come to the achieve office for regularly scheduled group study sessions focused on school assigned summer reading and writing.

Incoming Riordan and Mercy freshmen are required to attend summer school.